                    ST REPORT WEEKLY ONLINE MAGAZINE
                         Monday, April 25, 1988
                              Vol I  No 32
                                 =======
                            SPC   P.O. BOX 74
                       Middlesex, N.J.  08846-0074

                            Editor: Ron Kovacs

 Technical Editor                                  Product Review Editor
  W. K. Whitton                                        T. "Rex" Reade

                                 CONTENTS
                                 ========
* Editors Desk                           * Symmetry Review              
* Destroying The Hard Disk Myth..T Reade * Red October Review           
* Delphi Sign-up Offer                   * NeoDesk Press Release        
* Public Domain Shelf ...Alice Amore     * Garbage On The Line          
* NEC Multisync II to Atari ST           * Letter To The Editor         
* Contest Rules and Details              * STR/ZMag BBS Listing         
========================================================================
  Serving you on:   Genie - Delphi - Comp-u-serve
========================================================================
Support BBS Systems:  (201)968-8148  (216)784-0574  (904)786-4176
========================================================================
From The Editors Desk....

This weeks issue contains the contest rules.  If you are a BBS sysop
which carries ST-Report online, Please post the contest on your system.
We have many great prizes with more still being procurred.  Prize and
judge information will be listed here next week.

I have included a pre-release of the BBS Listing. There are still many
systems who have not registered.  Please take a look and if your system
is on the list, you will then be able to find your registration number.
If your system isn't included, please let us know.

This Thursday at 9pm, CompuServe will be sponsering another Word Perfect
conference.  It will be in the Atari16 Conference area.  Please pass the
word and attend!

While you are on CompuServe, Check out Data Library 14, this has been
designated the ST-Report Data Library.  In this DL you will find every
issue of ST-Report, reprint and support files.  If you are also a ZMag
fan, check out the Atari8 area on both CompuServe and GEnie.

We have expanded to all three major services, If you want to send us
feedback, commentary, opposing points of view, or just looking for some
assistance, you can find us there.  Here are our addresses:

          CompuServe    71777,2140
          GEnie         ST-REPORT or R.KOVACS or REX.READE
          Delphi        REXREADE or RONKOVACS or MRGOODPROBE
          The Source    BDG793
          Syndicate BBS (201) 968-8148

We wish to send congratulations to David and Sandy Small on the birth of
their new child from the staff of ST-Report and ZMagazine.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        DESTROYING THE HARD DISK MYTH
                        -----------------------------
by TOM "REX" READE

To begin, 99% of all hard disks are made to conform to IBM standards. With
this thought in mind we shall proceed.........

The most readily available and in my opinion, the most reliable hard
disk is from Seagate......next in line is the Miniscribe. There are
others but you must make sure they conform to the IBM standard.

                         IBM STANDARD: ST-506/ST-412
                         ---------------------------
Most commonly found hard drives do not have controllers built in. These
are the most reliable and economical drives to use.

WHAT IS THE CONTROLLER???
=========================
This goodie is the custodian of your hard disk!  It directs all I/O
functions to the hard disk and it points to and accesses each cylinder.
It "controls" everything.

                           FACTS FOR REFERENCE
                           -------------------
ST 412 DRIVES WITH MFM ENCODING    5.0 MEGABITS/SEC.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
DATA            ST 125        ST138       ST225       ST251       ST251-1
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
SIZE f'm'd       21            32          21          42          42
# HEADS           4             6           4           6           6
CYL's            615           615         615         820         820
STEP RATE uS    3-200         3-200       5-200       3-200       3-200
AC'S TIME mSEC   28            28          65          40          28
WRITE PRE'C      N/A           N/A       300/614       N/A         N/A
POWER watts      10            10          14.8        11          12
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
                ST4038          ST4051        ST4053         ST4096
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
SIZE f'm'd       31              42            44             80
# HEADS           5               5             5              9
CYL'S            733             977           1024           1024
STEP RATE uS    10-70           10-70          3-70           3-70
AC'S TIME mSEC   40              40            28             28
WRITE PRE'C    300-732           N/A           N/A            N/A
POWER watts      25.5            25.5          23             25.5
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
ST 412 INTERFACE DRIVES WITH RLL ENCODING     7.5 MEGABITS/SEC
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
DATA           ST138R    ST157R    ST238R    ST251R    ST277R   ST4141R
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
SIZE f'm't       32        49        31        43        65       122
# HEADS           4         6         4         4         6        9
CYL'S           615       615       615       820       820       1024
STEP RATE uS   3-200     3-200     5-200     3-200     3-200      3-70
AC'S TIME mSEC   28        28        65        40        40        28
WRITE PRE'C     N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A
POWER watts      10        10       14.8       11        11       25.5
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
SCSI INTERFACE (EMBEDDED CONTROLLER) HARD DISKS
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
DATA            ST138N      ST157N     ST225N     ST251N      ST227N
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
SIZE f'm't        32          48         21         43          64
SECTORS         63,139      95,015     41,170     84,254      126,790
ACCESS TIME       28          28         65         40           40
POWER watts       12          12        16.8        13           13
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Be Advised, as of 01/01/88, Seagate began using the new I'ntl light code,
the front light on the drive is GREEN, ONLY if it is made after Jan.01 1988.
If you go to purchase one and the light on the front is red, it's either
old inventory, used or rebuilt.  I do not advise the use of the "N" type H/D,
they're limited in the flexibility of use by the embedded controller and
are more expensive. Seagate may cost more, but they are the workhorses of
the industry. The Seagate Hard Disk is extremely RELIABLE. Seagate units
above 40mb have auto-park.

All of the above are:FCC,TUV/UL/CSA [CERTIFIED]

The list of other types of drives is large, some are, Disctron, Lapine,
Microscience, Micro-memories, Miniscribe, Priam, Rodime, Shugart, Tandon
and Tulin.  The formatted size of these range anywhere from 5-???Mb.

I purposely avoided Brand Names of packaged drives because in most
cases they use Adaptek and seagate...I have found that Atari and Supra
have gone to the small 3.5 hard disk. I will cover those next time.  As far as
Atari is concerned, they would have saved a fortune in R&D if they had
used the standard assembly, as the method they used is so typical of
Atari, "they walked all 'round the barn to walk in the front door", why
did they have to change the 'prom, it made the SH204 a problem maker, why
the dip switches?,,do they really think the Atari user cant handle
Terminal resistor packs and jumpers???  Bad Move!  Some of the companies
have gone to Miniscribe, (the coffee grinder) to cut production costs,
they will go back to SEAGATE as soon as they realize the RMA numbers are
eating their lunch!

Remember that all these drives (except for a few) come without a
controller, you really want it without a controller..it's less expensive
and works out much better for you in the long run.....you will see!

The actual chain of connection for a hard drive is:

1-hard disk
2-controller
3-interface..and the DMA port.

MFM- This is a format style most commonly found in use although recently,
RLL has been becoming far more popular as it is a condensed compact
format thus allowing more data to be stored on an equivalent size hard
disk.  The major difference is the media itself in the hard disk is
PLATED to insure accuracy and longevity.  Think of it like plain
recording tape and CrO2 Chromium Dioxide tape.  The recording media in
the "R" drives (Seagate) is of a high quality and plated.

In most cases, the Interface, ( Host Adapter ) determines what type of
system the hard disk will comply with. It also (usually) has a clock/
calendar built in.

In reality you can take a hard drive system made for an 8bit XL/XE and
change the interface to one for an ST and it will now work on the ST
(after a format).

The two most widely used controllers, and I might add, ARE REALLY THE
BEST, are made by Adaptek they are designed with the user in mind and
provide for expansion for the future.

                    ADAPTEK 4000 SERIES CONTROLLERS
                    -------------------------------
          ACB-4000A                                  ACB-4070
          ---------                                  --------
Interface SCSI dr type    ST506/412             ST506/412 [RLL-Certified]

These hard disk systems are special in one way, they have embedded
controllers.
                              IOMEGA
                              ------
          ALPHA 10H                                  BETA XXX interface
SCSI dr type    Cart 10mb                                  Cart xxmb

                              RODIME
                              ------
          RO650                                      RO652 interface
SCSI  dr type    10mb                                      20mb

                              SEAGATE
                              -------
                 ST225N interface  SCSI dr type    20mb

*** NOTE Iomega, Rodime, and the 1 Seagate, see listing above, listed are the
    embedded controller type.  These are slowly fading from popularity.

                          WESTERN DIGITAL
                          ---------------
          WD1002-SHD interface   SASI dr type     ST506/412

                               XEBEC
                               -----
          1410                                          1410A interface
SASI dr type    ST506/412                                    ST506/412

* These devices are SASI and are slowly fading into the sunset......

ADAPTEK CONTROLLERS
===================
ACB4000A / ACB4070 are highly recomended and of excellent design. These
controllers will handle most any application.

HARD DISK INTERFACE
===================
There are three types available for the ST:  ICD, Supra, and Berkley

                                 ICD
                                 ---
The "MIO"...Designed for use in the 8 bit field comes in two
configurations ...

                256k                                        1MB
                ----                                        ---
Both units handle all your needs as they include all the fuctions of the
Atari 850 interface.  PLUS a printer spooler and buffer.

THE ICD ST HOST ADAPTER INTERFACE
=================================
The Host Adapter is designed for the 16 bit ST hard drive system or for
most anything you care to couple to it...ie, tape backup and hard disk
and laser printer etc..

The host adapter interface is also equipped with an outstanding clock
made non-volatile thru the use of a lithium battery. Rated **** ICD has
real winner here!

                                  SUPRA
                                  -----
Both of supra's interfaces are quite good, not as flexible as ICD's but
good.

BE ADVISED!  SUPRA IS SLOWLY DROPPING THE 8 BIT HARD DISK SYSTEMS.

This is the end of the first installment to placed here for you, there
will be more in the near future.

The configurations for the hard disk systems are variable, for example,
if you wished to use the stand alone system with a different computer you
would be able to do so simply by changing the interface.

Expandable means you can add another drive at a later date in the
existing cabinet without major circuitry changes.

NOTE: This article and the "Hard Disk Series" are for the readers of
      ST REPORT MAGAZINE and may not be duplicated in any form without
      the written permission of the publisher and author.

*************************************************************************
IMPORTANT NOTICE!
-----------------
As a reader of ST Report Magazine, you are entitled to take advantage of
a special DELPHI membership offer.  For only $29.95 ($20 off the standard
membership price!), you will receive a lifetime subscription to DELPHI, a
copy of the 500-page "DELPHI: The Official Guide," and a credit equal to
one free evening hour at standard connect rates.

Signing up with DELPHI
----------------------
Using a personal computer and modem, members worldwide access DELPHI
services via a local phone call.

Join--- DELPHI
--------------
1. Dial 617-576-0862 with any terminal or PC and modem (at 2400 bps, dial
   576-2981).

2. At the Username prompt, type JOINDELPHI.

3. At the Password prompt enter STREPORT.

For more information, call DELPHI Member Services at 1-800-544-4005, or
at 617-491-3393 from within Massachusetts or from outside the U.S.

DELPHI is a service of General Videotex Corporation of Cambridge,
Massachusetts.
*************************************************************************
PUBLIC DOMAIN SHELF                                        by Alice Amore
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pipeline BBS  (216) 336-3774        Ohio Software Exchange (216) 336-4145

If you really are serious about creating a good public domain library,
you probably have tapped all possible sources in your quest for files,
including online services, bulletin boards, disk magazines, type-in
programs, programming books, friends, relatives, user groups, and mail
order companies. If you are a novice, you may not only have problems
figuring out what you want, but you may also have problems figuring out
what you HAVE.  When faced with a cornucopia of new files, you may have
no idea how to nudge them into doing something useful. Sad and
frustrated, you might be tempted to toss everything into the trash icon.
DON'T!  It's a good guess that every file has a purpose.  Read on.

A good way to categorize files is to give groups of files the same file
extensions.  Quick recognition of these extensions can be an enormous
help when there are lots of files to sort out and use.

To my knowledge, there are only three file extensions that denote a
runnable program.  They are .TOS, .TTP, and .PRG.  These files can be
clicked on and run from the desktop.  A .TTP file will give you a dialog
box where you can enter more information but usually there are built-in
default parameters and you can click on "OK" or hit return and the file
will run without any additional information from you. (If in doubt,
always read the .DOC or .TXT file first, if there is one.)

Some file extensions in general use are:

-- .DOC (documentation)
-- .TXT (text)
-- .LST (list)
-- .INS (instructions)

Read these files (preferably before running the accompanying program) to
find out what the program does, how to use the program, and (very
important) who wrote the program and whether it's public domain or
shareware.

-- READ.ME, README.1ST, README.TXT (etc.) -- Do as the man says.  Click
   on the file and send it to your screen or your printer.  Occasionally,
   a text file won't have any spaces between the words. These are
   wordprocessor files. Get yourself a copy of the excellent ST WRITER
   (public domain) and you'll be able to read these files.

-- .PRN
-- .CFG

These are usually configurations for specific printers.  If you find a
.CFG file that works well with your printer, hold onto it. You probably
can port it over to other programs.

-- .INF

This is usually your desktop information file.  Some PD programs include
an .INF file in them.  If so, use them.  Don't use one from another
program or you might not like the results.

-- .ASC

An .ASC file is an ASCII file.  It contains no control characters, and it
can be used by any brand of computer which supports ASCII mode.  If you
upload a text file to your favorite bulletin board, first save it in
ASCII mode so that the computing community at large can read it.

-- .BAK (back up)

Most .BAK files are created automatically by software to ensure that no
data will be lost.  If your disks get cluttered up with .BAK files, save
the most recent ones, and delete the others.

-- .BAS (BASIC)

This program usually requires either ATARI BASIC or GFA BASIC (from
MichTron).

-- .PI1
-- .PI2
-- .PI3
-- .PC1
-- .PC2
-- .PC3
-- .NEO

These are picture files for use with the D.E.G.A.S. or NEOchrome
programs. There are public domain slideshows that will run them, but you
are better off converting them into .TNY files (see below).

-- .TNY

A TINY picture file (see above).

-- .SNG

Data files for Music Studio (Activision).  These data files were created
by users, and are public domain.

-- .ACC

Denotes a desk accessory.  Copy it to your root directory.

-- .PIC

Forget it.  Unless you have a program to go with it, you won't be able to
do much with it.

-- .DAT

This is a data file and belongs with other files (find them!).

-- .FNT

Usually a font for your printer.  Once again, look around until you find
the program this file belongs to.

-- .RSC

This belongs to other files, too.

-- .SCR

Usually a "screen" for a graphics program.

-- .CEL

Probably from Aegis Animator.  You'll need the commercial version of the
program or the viewer program.

-- .SEQ
-- .DLT

Data files for ANIMATOR (Cyber).

-- .SHP
-- .SDR

Data files for PrintMaster.

-- .CZ

Most often a MIDI patch for use with Casio products.

-- .PIT

If you don't have Magic Sac, this won't do you any good.

-- .SPC

A picture file for SPECTRUM.

-- .ARC

An "archive".  A file with this extension must be deARCed before using.

-- .PQG
-- .TQS
-- .TQP

Files compressed with the SQUEEZE utilities.  Some older files may be
squeezed instead of ARCed.  A squeezed program must have a "Q" as the
middle letter in the file extension.

I haven't, by any means, scratched the surface of file extensions, but I
have covered the ones that you are most likely to run into.  Have fun.
_________________________________________________________________________
PROBING YOUR ST                                           by W.K. Whitton
_________________________________________________________________________
I am sure you have heard the old axiom referring to the fact that two of
an item is usually better than one, as in "two heads are better than one"
and the like. This is not necessarily so as we shall find out rather
nicely in this article!

Most ST owners will agree that our SC1224 RGB monitor has excellent
graphics capability, especially when one is using it in conjunction with
one of the fabulous paint packages available for the ST, or when one is
partaking of the numerous quality games you can enjoy also. But, when the
owner tries to do any amount of serious word processing, his eyes may be
the victim of strain and uneasiness. The best cure for this (until now),
was the SM124 monochrome monitor. This display is extremely easy on the
eyes, they will thank you for it! (In fact we have been in touch with a
number of Mac owners, and assisted them in rewiring it to use with their
computer, the display was larger than the one they originally received,
and MUCH less expensive!) This brings to the forefront another problem
...you now, if you indeed to be serious about your ST and business type
applications, need to juggle 2 monitors, and in anybody's book, is not an
easy task!

If you want to use only ONE monitor, now there is an alternative! Read
on:

"NEC MultiSync II to Atari ST
 --- --------- -- -- ----- --
Copyright (c) 1988 David S. Weaver   All rights reserved
This file may be copied freely only with the inclusion of the above
copyright notice for non-commercial use. If you have any questions, feel
free to contact the author on CompuServe (76456,2604) or Delphi
(DSWEAVER).

The NEC MultiSync II is a great monitor to buy if you want a monitor that
you can migrate to another system when the time comes that you need
higher resolution color.

The specs are as follows:

                        NEC MultiSync II                Atari
                                                low     medium  high
                                                ------- ------- -------
Horizontal Bandwidth:   15.5kHz - 35kHz         15.8kHz 31.5kHz 35.7kHz
Vertical Bandwidth:     50Hz - 80Hz             60Hz    60Hz    71.2kHz
Horizontal Resolution:  800 dots                320     640     640
Vertical Resolution:    560 lines               200     200     400
Signal level:           TTL pos                 ---     ---     ---
(analog)                0.7Vpp 75 ohm pos            1.0Vpp 75 ohm
Sync Signal level:      TTL pos/neg                  TTL 3.3K neg
(analog)                0.3Vpp neg              ---     ---     ---

As one can see from the chart, all the Atari specs fall with the NEC's
except for the 35.7kHz (instead of 35kHz) which doesn't seem to be a
problem.  Also the video signals are a bit high (1.0Vpp rather than
0.7Vpp), but it seems to be working just fine without the addition of any
resistors.  (If you want to add a resistor, you would need 107-75 ohms or
32 ohms in series for the RGB signals, if I did my math correctly)

EDITORS NOTE: A value of 68 ohms, 1/4 or 1/2 watt will work fine in this
application, and furthermore, are rather easy to procure! I initially had
a problem with the NEC not syncing to high rez mode on the ST after
powering off the monitor and then powering it back on again. The work
around was to either unplug the video cable, or reboot the ST.  I decided
to add a switch to break the horizontal and vertical sync lines. During
the process, I switched the cables I was using to feed the DB9 connector
to some that were more flexible because I had a problem with the signal
lines breaking at the connector.  I also grounded the DB9 connector to
the shield ground in the cable from the Mega ST.  As a result of this
rework, I found I no longer needed the extra switch to interrupt the sync
signals.

The following pin assignments are what work when connecting an NEC
MultiSync II to a Mega ST2 for color operation, they should work for any
of the ST series:

        MultiSync II                        Mega ST
        (female DB-9)                       (male 13 pin DIN)

        pin  1  red                         pin  7  red
        pin  2  green                       pin  6  green
        pin  3  blue                        pin 10  blue
        pin  5  mode control or v sync      pin 12  vertical sync
        pin  4  h/v sync or h sync          pin  2  composite sync
        pin  6  red ground                  pin 13  ground
        pin  7  green ground                pin 13  ground
        pin  8  blue ground                 pin 13  ground
        pin  9  ground                      pin 13  ground

The Mega ST can also use this combination for sync:

        pin  4  h/v sync or h sync          pin  9  horizontal sync
        pin  5  mode control or v sync      *       not connected

EDITORS NOTE: In order for this to work with the 520 and 1040ST, you must
also connect these pins:

        MultiSync II                        520/1040 ST

        pin 5   H sync                      pin 9  horizontal sync
        pin 6   V sync (mode control)       pin 6  vertical sync

For monochrome to work, use the following connections instead of those
listed for the same pins above:

        pin  1  red                         pin 11  monochrome
        pin  2  green                       pin 11  monochrome
        pin  3  blue                        pin 11  monochrome

* Connect to pin 13 (ground) if you want to increase the vertical size on
  the screen.  Not really needed as the front panel "v size" switch has
  enough control, and the image size is big enough with the "v size"
  switch in the detent position.

In addition, you will want to provide a separate RCA jack to provide an
audio out connection, given that the Multisync has no audio capabilities:

            RCA jack                    ST connection
            --------                    -------------
            audio                       pin  1  audio out
            ground                      pin 13  ground

I ended up buying a "multisync" cable from Practical Solutions.

The Practical Solutions cable has the following color coding:

        Pin    Color               Function
        ----   --------------      -----------------------
         1     yellow coax         audio out
         2     black coax          composite out (composite sync on Mega)
         3     n/c
         4     red                 monochrome mon (ground for monochrome)
         5     n/c
         6     green coax          rgb - green
         7     red coax            rgb - red
         8     blue coax shield    +12V (may vary from ST to ST)
         9     black               horizontal sync
        10     blue coax           rgb-blue
        11     white coax          monochrome
        12     white               vertical sync

The following was verified with an ohm meter:

        13     yellow coax shield  ground
               black coax shield   ground
               green coax shield   ground
               red coax shield     ground
               white coax shield   ground

In addition the shield appeared to be grounded as well.

I cut about a 6" length of cable off the cable from Practical Solutions
and used it to wire in a few switches to switch both the monochrome/color
signals and the h/v/composite signals.  This cable is much more flexible
than the cable I tried using in my first attempt.  By separating the
individual shielded cables from the bulk wrap, you can get some very
flexible/small shielded coax.

The switch box ended up something like the following:

             Atari ST pin       4 pole       NEC Multisync-II pin
           (13 pin DIN male)  double throw       (DB-9 female)
           -----------------  toggle switch  --------------------
                               +---------+
                               |         |
    Blue Cx  10 - rgb/blue -------       |
                               |   /--------------- rgb/blue -  3
    White Cx 11 - monochrome -----/      |
                               |         |
    Green Cx  6 - rgb/green ------       |
                               |   /---------------rgb/green -  2
    White Cx 11 - monochrome -----/      |
                               |         |
    Red Cx    7 - rgb/red --------       |
                               |   /---------------- rgb/red -  1
    White Cx 11 - monochrome -----/      |
                               |         |
                - n/c ------------       |
                               |   /---------------- ground  -  9
    Red       4 - mono monitor----/      |
                               |         |
                               +---------+
                                2 pole *
                              double throw
                              toggle switch
                               +---------+
                               |         |
    Black Cx  2 - comp sync ------       |
                               |   /-------- comp/horiz sync -  4
    Black     9 - horiz sync -----/      |
                               |         |
                               |         |
    White Sh 13 - ground ---------       |
                               |   /--------- mode/vert sync -  5
    White    12 - vert sync ------/      |
                               |         |
                               +---------+

* This switch is purely optional, it allows use of both types of video
sync, and will ground the mode pin to increase the vertical size when
composite sync is switched in.

    Red Sh   13 - ground ------------------------ red ground -  6
    Green Sh 13 - ground ---------------------- green ground -  7
             13 - ground ----------------------- blue ground -  8
             13 - ground ---------------------------- ground -  9

 Yellow C  1 - audio out --------------------- RCA signal line
    Yellow S 13 - ground ------------------------ RCA ground line
             shield -------------------------------------- shield

Note:  Do NOT connect pin 8 (Blue coaxial shield) to any other pins/
signals.  This pin may have +12 volts on it.  Make sure that you insulate
the shield very well on this line so it won't make accidental contact
with another signal.

EDITORS NOTE: Please clip this lead as short as possible to avoid
accidental contact with adjoining leads. When the cable is all built, use
an ohm meter and make sure that you have no shorts.  When you actually
want to hook it up to test it, set the switches on the back of the
MultiSync II to the following:

        Switch              State
        manual switch       on
        mode switch         gray    (shouldn't matter, digital only)
        color mode switch   64      (shouldn't matter, digital only)

Set the switches on the front to the following:

        Switch              State
        v pos              adjust after powering on
        v size              adjust after powering on
        h pos              adjust after powering on
        h size              on
        text                off     (shouldn't matter, digital only)
        text color          white   (shouldn't matter, digital only)

Now turn on power and you are on your way.  Note that for all of the
cabling of video signals, I used shielded cables (highly recommended) and
soldered all the coax shields together and to the ground pins (use a
smaller braided cable to actually connect between the shields and ground
pins).

# Part#           Description                         Price:    Source:
- -----           -----------                         ------    -------
1 76108  16-130   1 7/16"x4 13/32"x3 7/32" black box    8.99    A/E
1 69377  904      female RCA connector                  0.59    A/E
1 276-1538        female DB9 connector, solder type     2.49    R/S
1 53055  205817-1 female screwlocks (for DB9)           1.49    A/E
1 22104  7401SYZQ 4 pole, double throw, toggle switch  10.99    A/E
1 22048  7301SYZQ 3 pole, double throw, toggle switch   8.09    A/E
1 76292  11-304   5/8" OD, 1/2" ID rubber grommet       0.99    A/E
1                 Atari ST "multisync" cable           24.98    P/S
                                                      -------
                                              Total: $ 58.61

        P/S                        A/E                     R/S
   Practical Solutions        Active Electronics       Radio Shack
   1930 E. Grant Road         133 Flanders Road
   Tuscon, Arizona, 85719     Westborough, MA  01581
   (602)884-9612              1-800-343-0874
                              (617) 366-8899

You will also need various drill bits, solder, and some tool to cut a
hole for the DB9 connector into the plastic end of the aluminum/plastic
box.  The grommet is to protect the ST monitor cable entering the box. 

Disclaimer:

    o This hookup worked for my Mega ST, I make no guarantees it will
      work correctly on your ST.

    o I have no connection with NEC, Pratical Solutions, Activer
      Electronics or Radio Shack."

After this mod is made, you will find that you will need to readjust the
Vertical position, Vertical size and Horizontal size controls located on
the front panel of the monitor.

Set the "Manual" switch to the manual position. Set the "Text" switch to
off, and the "Text Color" switch to white.

If this project seems to be a bit much for you, you can buy an already
assembled similar Multisync adapter. It adds the feature of having a
composite input, so you can use your Atari 8 bit with a Multisync
(strange sounding isn't it?), or the video out of your VCR, and that way
watch your favorite movie while your computer is busy doing other things
(now THATS multitasking at its best!).

The monochrome display from your ST, with this box, will be one of two
possibilities that you choose:

                     Black Text on Green screen
                     White Text on Green screen

This box is available from Computer Success at 401-751-0038. It is
normally priced at 189.99 but they say they are having a sale till 4/30,
in which case it is selling for 99.99.

Keep those Atari's hummin'!         W. K. Whitton (Mr. Goodprobe)
Midtown TV--(216)633-0997           Atari 8/16, Amiga Sales/Repair
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
SYMMETRY - 3D CAD PROGRAM                                      Ctsy GEnie
=========================================================================

This is a small review of a true 3D CAD program to be released in a few
weeks. The designer of the program Dave Fletcher of Northern Design
Systems, located in Oshawa, Canada, sent me a beta version until I get
the released version. I have no manual so I had to figure most of the
program out by myself, although Dave did help me with some of the major
operators. Some background on myself, I work for General Motors at
Chevrolet Engineering in Warren, Michigan. I presently teach 3D Cad-Cam
systems which operate on IBM mainframe systems. For several years I have
programmed 3-Axis contour milling machines which cut prototype wood model
and patterns. I am by trade a pattern maker but got involved in Cad
systems as technology change the nature of my work.

Besides owning Symmetry I also have Drafix and Athena II. I am not going
to compare these programs because its like comparing apples and oranges.
Drafix and Athena II are 2D Cad programs while Symmetry is both a 2D and
3D Cad system. Even though the Atari ST is a fast computer, running 3D
really slows it down due to the many math computations it takes to do
perspective views. I read recently that a company in Texas is about to
introduce a 16 MHZ accelorator board which will help considerably. Also
needed is a math coprocessor and a larger screen (19") with at least 1024
X 1024 resolution. I heard a screen of this size is being developed in
Europe. These requirements are necessary if Atari is to be considered as
a serious CAD workstation.

On with the review. A quote from Symmetry's literature " For a CADD
Package to be truly effective, it must be able to answer a designer's
changing needs from conception of a design through to completion. From
simple 2 dimensional sketching & drafting to complex 3 dimensional
modeling, Symmetry proves itself to be a mature CADD package without a
mature price." The program is quite impressive. It has a sophisticated
user interface utilizing dialog boxes, drop down menus, macros, keyfiles,
custom drop down icons, command nesting and a command line interpreter.

You must have at least 1 meg of RAM and a Hi-Resolution monitor to use
the program. 

PROGRAM FEATURES

- Fully interactive 2 dimensional & True 3 dimensional capabilities.
- Multiple 3D views can be opened and modified at any time.
- A user can work in any combination of views with all views instantly
  updating at all times.
- Unlimited number of drawings's attached to each 3 dimensional database.
- Available unit types are: Inches, Feet , Yards, Miles, Millimeters,
  Centimeters, Meters and Kilometers.
- Each drawing has it's own definable: Scale, Origin, Width, Height and
  Form.(each can be modified at any time)
- Each view has it's own definable: Zoom factor, Scale factor, Scroll
  factor, 3 axis rotation, Origin and Viewing clip.
- 256 Layers can be activated individually or in groups.
- 9 zoom modes allow magnification's of up to 1000000 times.
- Sophisticated command nesting allows the following to be accessed at
  any time:

Database regeneration
=====================
Zoom in or out

Zoom a window

Scroll or pan the page

Center the page on a point

Multiple 3 Dimensional dynamic rotations at any angular increment Rotate
any 3 dimensional view to a predefined co-ordinate plane

Zoom a 3 dimensional view in or out

Scrolling any or all views

Restoring a predefined image

Echo view & drawing frames on/off

Display the current co-ordinate plane

Echo the gridsnap on/off

Change the current layer

Change currents units

Change current color (for plotters)

Change the current plane

Refresh the screen

Activate view clipping

Echo 4 mode dynamic tracking on/off

- Fonts and special symbols can be easily defined.
- Each text entity has its own definable: Font, Width, Height, Slant, XY
  rotation and 3 dimensional plane.
- Entity grouping can be saved to disk in either a local or global
  library.
- Entity masking allows entities to be temporarily hidden increasing the
  design speed.
- Automatic generation of ANY orthographic view including user defined
  auxiliary views.
- Entities can be selectively hidden in any view allowing easy generation
  of true orthographically sound views.
- Entity Insertion:
                    Points
                    Lines
                    Circles
                    Arcs
                    Fillets
                    Ellipses
                    Elliptical Arcs
                    Text
                    Box
                    Polygon
                    Polyfigure
                    Subfigure

- Entity Transformation:
  can be used on single or groups of entities
  can be used with or without copy
  can have inheritance of parent characteristics
  allows translation between 2D or 3D positions
  Circular Arrays
  Mirror entities
  Linear Arrays
  Stretch entities
  Sweep entities along 3D vector
  Rescale

  Project entities
                    Revolve entities
                    Trim entities
                    Divide entities ( by location or equal divisions)
                    change an existing entity's
- color
- layer
- location
- arc radius
- text hgt
- text width
- text slant
- text rotation
- text font
  3 dimensional entity transformation of any view into 2 dimensional
  entities.
                    Group single entities into a figure.
                    Release figures back into their single components.

- Location Selection
          full screen crosshairs
          absolute cartesian co-ordinates
          relative cartesian co-ordinates
          polar co-ordinates
          gridsnap
          entity snap to:
               end points
               origin of an entity
               bisection of entities
               intersection of 2 entities
               near an entity and location is attached to that entity at
                      it's nearest point

-Entity Selection
     digitize
     window
     window out
     view window
     last
     by entity color
     by entity layer
     chaining with direction

- Information Commands:
     measures distances (2D & 3D)
     measures angles
     measures perimeters
     verify an entity's
             layer
             color
             location
             linear or arc length
             entity count
     continuously updating memory display
     list:
          drawing parameters
          images
          defined co-ordinate planes
          view parameters
          layering info
          figure directories
          database extents
          macro definitions

- Plotter Output
- Printer Output
- Full Automatic Dimensioning package

This is a quality CAD program for the Atari. I am very impressed with all
of it's features. It serves all of my need. I design and build furniture
at home. I have a plotter which is very useful for larger drawings. The
interface is easy to learn and use. All of the functions work and make
designing a pleasure. I would recommend this program to any one
interested in a 2D & 3D CAD package.

_________________________________________________________________________
THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER                            by Edward L. Waldorph
_________________________________________________________________________
CAPTAIN'S LOG--Day 1:  After several trial runs for our mission to defect
to the United States with the greatest weapon of the Soviet Navy I have
made several observations of the craft and the "Ultimate submarine
simulation."  After being torpedoed by mines and running aground
innumerable times on the shakedown it is apparant that this craft cannot
be controlled in tactical situations by mouse/icon interface.

Torpedoed a Soviet trawler to prevent our position from being given away.
Waste of time.  The Soviet Navy can't find us and at 37 knots can't catch
us.

Determined that the Reykjanes Ridge (Gorshkovs Railroad) is impassable.
Will curcumnavigate Iceland through the Denmark Straight.

LOG--Day 2:  No mines and no soviet ships.  Several hours of 'actual
time' on this game already and absolutely nothing has happened.  Have
received continual messages via ESM that:  "They have a positive trace on
Red October." or "Search for missing submarine widened." or "Intercepted
Soviet messages, updating Atlantic projection now"; over and over and
over...ad nauseum.

The map shows that the two Soviet task forces near us have hardly moved
and are making no effort to cut us off or intercept us.

I know undersea duty was supoposed to be boring but this is ridiculous.

The map projection shows that we are approaching on a collision course
with a U.S. Taskforce.  Things should happen soon.

LOG--Day 3:  Well we met the fleet. Although the only ship we could
identify was a British aircraft carrier. We surfaced and sailed around
and about among the fleet but, as has been the case so far in this
simulation--nothing happend.  Becoming bored and because a Soviet
taskforce is on our tail we continue for the U.S.

LOG--Day 4:  We are now off the coast of Virginia, near Norfolk; although
it is very hard to tell.  The Projection map shows almost the complete
North Atlantic region.  The plot of the Red October is several hundred
miles long and as there is no zoom feature we can only guess at our
location.

Wait...wait...wait. We are sailing around in circles.  We keep getting
messages that "They have a positive trace on Red October." and "The
search for the missing submarine widened."  But nothing is evident.

The nuclear reactor isn't scheduled to go out for another 6 days.
I don't think I can stand it!  I'll go stir crazy.

LOG--Day 5:  Thank God!  For some reason the reactor failed early.
Unfortunately when we switched to deisel power we were submerged.  I must
have inadvertantly speeded up the game clock (it's impossible to tell)
and suddenly before I could react to the warning the batteries died.  Now
this wouldn't be such a serious problem in a REAL submarine but in the
October we're stuck.  Without forward motion we can neither surface or
submerge. (The sub has no control of ballast tanks or trim tanks no
reverse and no snorkel).

That's it!  Were stuck.  For some reason (?) we can change heading
however.  Now all we can do is sit here at periscope depth and spin. This
is something the programmer should do.

LOG--Day 7:  I had saved the game shortly before the battery incident so
I didn't loose much.  Here it is day 7 and we're still sailing around off
the coast and nothing has happened.  (I had given up and put the game
back on the shelf but when I was asked to write this review I bit the
bullet and tried to finish it.  I don't think I have the stamina).

Played tag with three American destroyers.  The same as the fleet--they
paid no attention to us. Weird thing was I couldn't get them on the
'scope.  Had them on radar all around us but they wouldnt show on the
scope.

That brings up another point.  It takes almost two minutes to rotate the
periscope 360 degrees!

Well that's enough of the Captain's Log. I think you get the idea by now.
This is without doubt the most boring simulation I have ever played.
There is basically no 'play' in it.  Technically the game suffers
tremendously by the interface.

There are no keyboard controls to augment the mouse/icon control. It
appears that the game samples the mouse about once a second unless other
activities are occurring, then it could be several seconds before the
pointer is sampled.  When the pointer is placed over an icon the icon
will change color (takes about a second) and then you can click the
button.  Many times you must click more than once to get it to register.

Holding the button down is supposed to continuously adjust certain
controls.  You may want to read a good novel while you wait for the
change.  Heading, speed and depth have icons that allow gross changes
quickly and then the regular controls can be used to 'fine tune.' However
if you are in a tactical situation or depth is critical you can be
torpedoed or crash on the bottom before you can fine tune.

In a combat situation this command and control system would fail
miserably--but in this game there appears to be no combat.

There are several technical irregularities in what is billed the ultimate
submarine simulation.  No control of ballast, no reverse, improper depth
readings, no radar, no snorkle and a periscope that is apparantly 78 feet
long!  There is no scale on map, sonar or terrain screens. There is no
way to make gross adjustments to the periscope. If you wish to target
torpedoes by sonar the settings must be set manually which, with the
mouse, is impossibly slow. 

One of my pet peeves in submarine simulations is improper depth readings.
Depth sensors are located on the keel and read out depth to keel (from
the surface) and depth from keel (to the bottom).  Therefor when the sub
is on the surface with the decks awash the depth guage would show about
35 feet or about 10 meters and somewhat less if fully surfaced (depending
on the draft of the boat) but never 0!  This game shows periscope depth
at 24 meters.  This figure would be correct if the sensor was on the keel
but impossible if depth was zero when surfaced.  24 meters is almost 79
feet.

Actual periscope depth is about 27 meters measured from the surface to
the keel. this allows for the body of the sub (approx. 9m) and the height
of the sail (approx. 6m) and the extended periscope (approx. 12m).

All in all you probably will not learn much about commanding a modern
nuclear submarine, you will learn nothing of modern  submarine/ anti-
submarine warfare and you will not have any fun.

This game is rated UN--UNplayable, UNeducational and UNfun.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 PRESS RELEASE
                                 =============

Ok, quick! What's the one thing you would give more than anything to see
on your ST? Allright, BESIDES MacPlaymate! What about the desktop of your
dreams?

Introducing....

N e o D e s k, the Desktop Alternative (copyright 1988, Gribnif Software)

So, what's it do? Better ask, "what's it NOT do?" Here is an exhaustive,
well, extensive, well, allright, SHORT list of some of the features:

[o]  All icons used are editible and an icon editor is included AT NO
     EXTRA COST! (Does it sound like I'm selling kitchen knives yet?)

[o]  All menu options have keyboard equivalents!

[o]  The normal GEM "rubberbox" that is used to encircle a number of
     icons has been rewritten so that the box can move in any direction,
     not just to the lower-right!

[o]  Up to seven windows can be open at once, not just four.

[o]  Each window can have a search template associated with it. If, for
     instance, you only wanted to see those files ending in .ACC, you
     would set this to "*.ACC".

[o]  You will never see a horizontal scroll bar. Why not? Simply because
     there are never any files off the right-hand edge! NeoDesk always
     draws exactly the number of files that will fit within the window
     and wraps to the next row only if there is not enough room for half
     of the next icon.

[o]  The information line in a window not only displays the number of
     files and their total size, it also displays the creation time, date
     and read/write flag of any file that is selected by iteself (by
     single-clicking) or the total size of any number of selected files.

[o]  When performing a diskcopy, three options are available:
        copy files only (same as dragging icon to a window), copy with
        format (any format reproduceable with normal GEMDOS calls), and,
        if the source and destination formats match, copy without format.
        The number of disk swaps is dependent upon free RAM and is
        displayed for each type of copy. It is even possible to use copy
        with format to make a direct image of a RAM-disk.

[o]  File copying is performed in a buffer as large as the currrent free
     memory. This means faster copying and fewer disk swaps on single-
     drive systems!

Ok, like, how much would you pay, eh? But don't answer yet! We also
include the following totally awesome, mega-fantastic features for no
extra (don't believe it for a minute) cost! For all the geeks, er,
"applications engineers", we add:

[o]  Show Information for disks includes the number of sides, sectors per
     track, tracks per sector, etc.

[o]  Numerous floppy-disk formats are available, rather than just one.

[o]  All files on a disk can be deleted without re-formatting by merely
     dragging the appropriate icon to the trashcan.

[o]  Up to ten environment strings can be defined. These are passed to
     any program executed from NeoDesk. At last! You can compile from the
     desktop!

[o]  The parameter tail for TTP programs has been expanded to a maximum
     of 128 characters. They are not mapped to uppercase, as Atari's
     desktop does.

[o]  Execution of TTP programs can be redirected so that input normally
     taken from the console is instead taken from a file or so that
     anything that normally goes to the output portion of the console is
     written to a file or the printer!

[o]  Install Application WORKS! ('nuf said?)

[o]  If one or more filename icons are highlighted when an application is
     opened, their names are automatically passed as parameters in the
     command tail, assuming they all fit, of course.

[o]  Yes, Virginia, it runs batch files!

[o]  Up to ten files of any type can be "dragged" to the desktop. Once
     there, they can be executed or displayed exactly as if they were in
     a window, so you don't have to keep going down 5 folders just to get
     to your favorite program.

[o]  When an application has terminated with any status other than zero,
     this number is displayed before returning to the desktop.

[o]  An option is available to pause after executing TOS and TTP
     programs. Too often programs that were written to be used in a shell
     do not do this and their output is erased before the user has a
     chance to see a bloody thing.

[o]  Pressing the <Control> <Alt> and <Delete> keys simultaneously will
     cause the system to perform a "warm-start". <Control> <Alt> <Undo>,
     on the other hand, performs a cold-start.

[o]  A printer queue program is also included. You can drag files right
     to the printer icon, go run any GEM program while they print, and
     even change their order in the list!

Ok, NOW how much would you pay? I mean, for all this you would expect to
have to pay the poor guy who wrote this "beelyuns and beelyuns" of
dollars, right?? WRONG!! It's yours for just $29.95. That's right, folx.
At that price it could be total trash and still be worth it, so whaddaya
say? Did I mention it's not copy protected? Go ahead, kick the tires a
few times, take 'er for a test drive...

Gribnif Software
P.O. Box 350
Hadley, MA  01035
(413) 584-7887

(Call for quantity pricing and club discounts. Dealers, ask for a free
demo copy!)  (MacPlaymate is a product of Griffin Software, which is in
no way associated with Gribnif Software)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Garbage-On-the-Line      "When you Have Gone too Far"  by Linda Woodworth
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Computers are addicting.  Something happens when you sit down behind one.
Or is it in front?  I could lose myself totally in my ST - totally.
Between running my BBS, my writing, and personal BBSing, I found myself
too involved. Way too involved.  I wanted to do nothing else and I
thought about very little else.  It was all I thought and talked about.
This was not good for me or my family.

We are a computing family and find it a good hobby, but done to excess,
anything is wrong.

You have gone too far when other parts of your life begin to suffer. This
has caused me major problems and by writing this, perhaps I can prevent
obsession from setting in with someone else.  I have read many articles
about "the computer widow".  I created a widower & orphan.

My ST is a big part of me and I will never let them go, as it is in my
blood. I just have to thin it down a bit.

I must let it go for awhile to get things in perspective.  Please don't
get so involved you shut everything else out.  I can't begin to tell you
the pain I have caused.

Shut it off occasionally, hug your family and take time to stop and smell
the flowers.

                            Happy Trails
_________________________________________________________________________
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
_________________________________________________________________________
The following letter received April 8, 1988.  Edited for clarity and
grammer.

Panama, Republic of Panama, March 31, 1988

Dear Mr. Kovacs,

Greetings from Central America!  I am an avid reader of ZMagazine, (when
I can), who was also a CompuServe subscriber. Foreign rates went up and
that has kept me from using the service. (I cancelled ny subscription).

ZMag is a great magazine. I would like to find a way to be able to read
it. Perhaps a little background on Atari's here would help.

The company that used to sell Atari equipment here decided to drop the
line, leaving us out in the cold. Furthermore, computer dealers seeing
this decided to drop all Atari related magazines.

This happened over a year ago. Since then we have relied on the states
to get equipment, software and other peripherals.  A local Atari
repairman still repairs Atari's equipment, so we can fix them easily. For
most of us an 8 bit is all the computing we'll ever need, and that holds
true.

I was thinking, we have a small user's group, the PCACUG, and we are at a
loss for news or Atari related information. I'd like to propose to you to
establish a contact by mail, so that I could receive Zmagazine by mail. I
beleive rates for a disk to Panama are not too high. A friend sent me
three Atari disks in a fairly sized envelope and it cost him $2.22. I am
not sure whether you actually mail your Zmag's to BBS's or just upload
them to CompuServe.  In a few words, I would like to subscribe to ZMag,
and be added to your BBS list carrying ZMagazine.

I run the two Atari BBS's in the country. BUGBBS named after the BBCS
bugs, updated to AMIS then to Express and maybe to Express Pro if it is
ever released.  It runs 24 hours at 3-12 baud and the number is: 60-0530
I also run the club's BBS, which is called the PCACUG BBS which is the
longest running BBS in the nation. (Nation here applies to our two
million people).

AS I said, we have a lack of information and there are no magazines
locally. The clud is subscribed to Antic and Analog, but we only get one
issue for our sixty members.  Since each ZMag is weekly, it would cost
too much (and too much effort) to send.  Maybe if you cram 4 issues a
month into an enhanced or double density disk we could get this off the
ground.

Your help would be invaluable. There are alot of hopeless Atarians down
here.

We have not seen the jump from 8 bit to 16 bit mainly because the cost
for a 520ST is $1500.00 (no kidding) and that's a substantial chunk of
money. Mostly, people jump from 8 bit to no bits at all.  Beleive it or
not, our national currency is the US Dollar, even though the US has
frozen all panamanian accounts there, so there is a definate shortage of
cash right now.

I run an Oasis BBS. I have ofcourse trouble getting utilities for it. 
Could you tell me the whereabouts of it's original creators? I run the
BBS with RamboXL, Spartados 3.2, RTIME8, US Doublers on one of the
drives and hopeful for a 576K upgrade to me 130XE.

Once more, Thanks again for your invaluable help, please pardon my
shaky english grammer, since we are a spanish speaking country and I am
not using my word processor.  I will somehoe try to contact you on
CompuServe via my friend. Thanks again!

Bye from Panama:

Carlos Hassan
6-401 El Dorado
Panama, Republic of Panama

[Ed]
We will be sending Carlos all of the issues we can in the next few
weeks. How about some assistance from some United States User Groups?
Send this group a copy of your newsletters, your disk of the month and
whatever else you can!  We cant allow Atari users to be un-informed on
the latest and greatest happenings with the greatest micro around!

Lets show Panama our support of Atari, (Seriously folks!!!)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ST-Report Official Contest Rules
================================

No purchase necessary.

Deadline for consideration in this contest is midnight August 31, 1988.

Winners will be annouced in ST-Report on September 12, 1988.  We
guarantee to award all prizes. The prize list will be announced during
the contest.

All readers are eligible to enter except employees of Syndicate
Publishing, CompuServe, GEnie, Delphi and their immediate families.

This contest void where prohibited or restricted by law.  We are not
responsible for lost, mismarked, or delayed artwork.

All submissions must be drawn with any Atari ST drawing program.

All submissions must be drawn by the original artist. Copyrighted artwork
will not be accepted.

All submissions become the property of Syndicate Publishing.

All submissions must be uploaded to specified BBS systems by the deadline
date. All systems have time and date stamping capability. Any entry dated
after 8/31/88 will be void from the contest.

Artwork Requirements
--------------------

All artwork considered for this contest must be drawn with any Atari ST
drawing program.

Any person submitting artwork must leave an address and telephone number,
and drawing program used.

Artwork must contain the following:

ST-REPORT

The winning entry will be used at a later date for a newsletter or
magazine cover.

All submissions become the property of Syndicate Publishing.

Where to Send
-------------

All artwork may be uploaded to the following systems.  More will be added
during the contest.

         Syndicate BBS   (201) 968-8148
         Bounty ST BBS   (904) 786-4176

Entries by mail are also permitted. You may send to:

                        ST-Report Logo Contest
                          Post Office Box 74
                    Middlesex, New Jersey 08846-0074

  (Please include your name, address and telephone number)

Updates
-------

This contest will update uploading areas every two weeks.  Contest rules
will not be changed, but judges may be added during the run of the
contest.

Current judge listing will be published next week.

This contest commences May 2, 1988 and will end Midnight August 31, 1988.

Prize listing will be updated as needed. The listing will be published
next week in ST-Report #33.

If you have any questions, Please leave email on the services at the
following addresses:

                CompuServe:   71777,2140
                GEnie     :   ST-REPORT
                          :   R.KOVACS
                DELPHI    :   RONKOVACS
                The Source:   BDG793

Rules and Regulations Update 4/23/88

1).  Use any full color program written exclusively for the ST to draw
     your own personal design of an ST-Report logo.

2).  Artwork ported over from any other computer is void.

3).  No X-rated artwork will be accepted.

4).  Winners will be announced by mail, email, phone call or equivalent
     on or before September 12, 1988.

5). Judges decisions are final.  
_________________________________________________________________________
BBS Listing
_________________________________________________________________________

This is the pre-release of the ZMag/ST-Report BBS list. This will be
updated weekly and published every few months here.

You will notice a rather large gap in the registration numbers. These
system have not be validated, so will not be added until that time. This
list is not complete.

These systems support our publications.  Please call and support these
systems.  If you are not on any of the pay services, call these boards
and pass the word.

We thank each and every BBS listed here many thanks. Without your
weekly support we would not have made it this far.

Reg No. Area  Phone Number    BBS Name              State
=========================================================================
H001-   201   968-8148        Syndicate BBS         New Jersey
H002-   216   784-0574        Stairway To Heaven    Ohio
H003-   312   690-3724        Lions Den             Chicago
X004-   609   451-7475        C.C.B.B.S.            New Jersey
X005-   219   223-8107        Manitou BBS           Indiana
X006-   718   648-0947        Dateline BBS          New York
X007-   718   604-3323        New York City BBS     New York
X008-   301   437-9813        Ratcom BBS            Maryland
X009-   916   962-2566        Shadow Haven BBS      California
X010-   918   835-5198        Tektron BBS           Oklahoma
X011-   201   Closed          Timelink              New Jersey
X012-   201   298-0161        J.A.C.G. BBS          New Jersey
X013-   216   545-4817        Pirate Busters        Ohio
H014-   904   786-4176        Bounty Atari ST       Florida
Z015-   305   747-9196        Alternate Universe    Florida
Z016-   813   821-3188        ST Petersburg PO      Florida
Z017-   505   897-4306        Asylum BBS            New Mexico
X018-   808   423-3140        Wonderful World of Oz Hawaii
X019-   219   674-9288        M.O.U.S.E. BBS        Indiana
Z020-   404   945-6021        Buford Byte Size      Georgia
X021-   813   726-3449        Harbor Lights BBS     Florida
X022-   912   244-1726        Talisman BBS          Georgia
X023-   617   674-8361        Westport! BBS         Massachusettes
X024-   817   444-3023        Rivendale BBS         Texas
X025-   415   825-2952        West Coast Syndicate  California
X026-   315   638-8569        The D.E.N.            New York
X027-   505   525-0388        Atari C.A.L.C.        New Mexico
Z028-   201   723-0824        Wild West BBS         New Jersey
X029-   216   758-0284        Command Headquarters  Ohio
Z030-   707   252-0631        Irata                 California
Z031-   617   675-8503        S.W.A.T.              Massachusettes
X032-   703   560-6318        The Ark               Virginia
X033-   615   665-1217        Vanishing Point       Tennessee
X034-   301   967-2207        Orion Connection      Maryland
X035-   207   784-0631        M.A.C.H. BBS          Maine
Z036-   516   698-7456        WQNR BBS              New York
X037-   713   923-7392        W.A.S.T.E. BBS        Texas
X038-   504   244-0768        Milliways BBS         Louisiana
X039-   617   586-8840        Lost Byte             Massachusettes
Z040-   303   796-0539        The Vault             Colorado
Z041-   404   796-3805        Garden City Oasis     Georgia
Z042-   609   939-6247        Satelite BBS          New Jersey
Z043-   206   848-3371        The Reef              Washington State
S044-   816   761-2190        Elysium BBS           Missouri
Z045-   315   454-9612        Atari Hotel           New York
X046-   212   617-0153        The Bunker            New York
X047-   201   247-8252        E.B.B.B.S.            New Jersey
Z048-   402   466-5339        Griffon's Nest        Nebraska
X049-   011   494-12997       Kisa Monitron         Sweden (46)
X050-   011   0340-51117      First Star            Sweden (46)
Z051-   718   253-8602        Outsiders             New York
Z052-   805   773-5907        Hot Rodders           California
X053-   203   776-9723        New Haven BBS         Conneticut
X054-   502   964-2964        Bargain Basement      Kentucky
X055-   609   931-3014        Gateway               New Jersey
X056-   602   846-7357        Network 23            Arizona
Z057-   313   547-0440        Cosmic Stompers       Michigan
Z058-   804   379-4156        Midnight Express      Virginia
X059-   314   647-3290        Gateway City BBS      Missouri
Z060-   312   457-2219        Bluemoon BBS          Illinois
X061-   617   625-5348        Mall Five Opus        Massachusetts
Z062-   312   430-4234        Runequest BBS         Illinois
X063-   205   772-8526        Bloom County BBS      Alabama
X064-   205   461-7893        H.A.U.G. BBS          Alabama
X065-   812   985-2083        West Terrace BBS      Indiana
Z066-   502   778-9846        WAEL                  Kentucky
Z067-   502   964-2924        Atari Scene           Kentucky
Z068-   614   471-8559        ACEC BBS              Ohio
X069-   614   471-9209        Pandora BBS           Ohio
Z070-   918   251-5450        Help BBS              Oklahoma
Z071-   716   875-7376        Bates Motel           New York
Z072-   516   884-4140        Ol' Hackers BBS       New York
Z073-   203   443-5200        Phantasmal Alchemy    Conneticut
S074-   402   466-5339        S.T.U.N.N. BBS        Nebraska
S075-   201   929-9351        CoaSTline BBS         New Jersey
S076-   703   665-0087        Infonet BBS           Virginia
Z077-   201   388-1676        White House BBS       New Jersey
X078-   616   245-8259        Exte                  Michigan
Z079-   404   968-4380        Dark Crypt            Georgia
Z080-   601   388-3490        C.A.U.U.G. BBS        Mississippi
Z081-   601   374-0709        Irata II              Mississippi
Z082-   612   522-2687        T.A.I.G. BBS          Minnesota
X083-   219   336-3774        Pipeline BBS          Indiana
X084-   313   736-3920        Facts BBS             Michigan
Z085-   808   261-2184        Muskrats Den          Hawaii
X086-   507   60-0530         BugBBS                Panama
X087-   219   875-8205        One Stone BBS         Indiana
Z088-   305   793-2975        Carina BBS            Florida
Z089-   305   734-6026        Atari Computer Club   Florida
Z090-   216   441-3816        Mega Vision BBS       Ohio
X091-   419   289-8392        Balloon Works Inc     Ohio
X092-   517   371-1106        C.H.A.O.S. BBS        Michigan
X093-   011   470-22183       Sorman Information    Sweden (46)
Z094-   206   631-8056        Knotts Nook BBS       Washington State
Z095-   312   889-1240        C.L.A.U.G. BBS        Illinois
Z096-   915   757-0788        House of Chance       Texas
Z097-   714   653-0447        Thunderbeast          California
Z098-   203   445-4094        Spiders Web BBS       Conneticut
Z099-   219   693-3485        Acorn BBS             Indiana
Z100-   606   271-1466        Missing Link BBS      South Dakota
Z101-   704   253-3614        Office BBS            North Carolina
X128-   805   239-8710        The LookOut BBS       California
Z129-   201   286-6189        AtlantiST             New Jersey
S130-   201   271-8765        Great Fire Breather   New Jersey
X131-   918   622-1121        Future City BBS       Oklahoma
X132-   805   872-0377        Home Bace             California
Z133-   201   752-9466        Piscataway Express    New Jersey
Z134-   718   373-4669        Blue BBS              New York
X135-   216   376-7618        Rubber City Atari     Ohio
X136-   317   243-2177        Dog House BBS         Indiana
X137-   907   338-5005        Public DOmain BBS     Alaska
X138-   309   797-5926        Checkmate BBS         Illinois
Z139-   707   437-6366        Elsinore Brewery      California
S140-   602   435-9645        Think Tank            Arizona
X141-   813   823-1471        MegaPlex BBS          Florida
X142-   314   696-3506        AXE***BBS             Missouri
X143-   201   343-1426        Launch Pad BBS        New Jersey
Z144-   416   648-8359        19th Hole BBS         Ontario, Canada
Z146-   213   631-7328        L.B.C.S. BBS          California
X147-   314   581-3801        Brickyard BBS         Missouri
X148-   215   289-5247        Star Fleet Command    Pennsylvannia
X149-   201   938-6906        Starbase I            New Jersey
Z150-   805   929-1624        My House              California
Z151-   ???   855-1317        Atarian Domain        ???
X152-   816   637-6163        Schwarzer Drache      Missouri
Z153-   201   689-4550        Kilroy's Castle       New Jersey
Z154-   415   565-9742        Eagle BBS             California
_________________________________________________________________________
ST-REPORT Issue #32    April 25, 1988   (c)1988 SPC/Ron Kovacs
All Rights Reserved    Reprint permission granted except where noted in
the article. Any reprint must include ST-Report and the author in the
credits. Views presented here are not necessarily those of ST-Report or
of the Staff.
_________________________________________________________________________

